Report of t. gilbert pearson, secretary 



INTRODUCTION 



With state and Federal legislation for the protection of America's wild 

 birds and animals now in a far better condition than we had hoped for during 

 the long years of struggles for this accomplishment, undoubtedly the two most 

 important problems before the Audubon Societies today is the conducting of 

 an intense campaign in support of these laws, and the creation and maintenance 

 of greatly increased numbers of bird-reservations. With a growing population 

 that possesses the inherited instinct of the hunter, which is strong in American 

 life, the need of many "Cities of Refuge" for our hard-pressed bird-life is of 

 the utmost importance. 



To teach children the economic value of birds to the nation, and the great 

 pleasure and profit to be derived from the study of their activities, is a work to 

 which the Audubon Societies should now devote much of their energies with 

 renewed effort. For the past nine years the National Association, through the 

 formation of Junior Audubon Classes, has been able to give instruction in bird- 

 study to more than one million children. This, of course, is the largest accom- 

 plishment ever effected in the way of teaching children about birds, but to 

 reach and influence the rising generation as it should be reached, not less than 

 this number should be instructed every year. The Association has the experi- 

 ence and machinery for developing this plan in an almost unlimited manner, if 

 only the funds could be made available for adequately enlarging the plan. 

 Likewise, a fund of $500,000 could be most splendidly used in creating and 

 guarding additional bird-reservations for which there is today an imperative 

 need. 



The past year has been a most active one for the Association. In legislation 

 we have cooperated with others in helping to secure appropriations for the 

 carrying out of the provisions of the Bird Treaty Act, as well as in combating 

 proposed adverse laws and working for good ones in the states of North Caro- 

 lina, New Jersey, Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, and elsewhere. 



With the cooperation of our members we have been able to report a large 

 number of violations of the 'bird-protective laws to officials of various states 

 and to the Federal Government, as well as the bird-protective officers in 

 Canada. 



We have financially assisted various undertakings, for example, paying the 

 expenses of a Government agent in prosecuting an aigrette case in South 

 Carolina; erecting a series of bird-boxes at the Red Cross Headquarters, Camp 

 Merritt, N. J.; presenting four sets of stereopticon slides to the United States 

 Department of Education; making some cash contributions to affiliated 

 societies, and helping, as we have had opportunity, in enforcing the plumage 

 law in the state of New York. It has been our pleasure to work, with others, 



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